It takes courage to be a caregiver. Providing care for someone can be emotionally and physically draining. You may feel stressed or alone. You may not know what to expect. It is important for you to know that there is a great deal of support for you and your loved one.

This booklet offers tips for some common caregiving tasks. It mayseem like a lot of information at once?try not to be overwhelmed. You may work closely with a home care aide or companion. Reach out if you have questions.

The care needed will be different for everyone. Your healthcare providerwill help you figure out what your loved one needs and may give you tips that are not listed. Use the blank spaces and margins in this booklet to write special notes your healthcare provider gives you.

We hope this booklet will help you build confidence as a caregiver.Use it as a tool. Fold page corners or use colored markers to highlight important information. Keep the booklet with you until you feel comfortable.When you feel confident, you can give better care.

If your loved one can no longer do the tasks they once could, it?s likely they may depend on you a lot more these days. You might feel like it?s easier to just take charge and make decisions. But it?s important to always treat your loved one with respect.

When caring for your loved one, you want to protect their dignity(or sense of self worth). Imagine if your independence was taken away.You would no longer be able to drive, walk, or get out of bed. You would have to rely on someone for tasks that used to be easy. How would you feel?

You would probably be frustrated. You might feel depressed overthe loss of freedom. You?d most likely want to keep control over as much as you could.

Preserving Dignity?What you can do for loved ones:

Learn about their condition. Contact the doctor for information. This can prepare you for what?s ahead.

Contact your healthcare provider if your loved one has dementia. Dementia is a disease that causes serious loss of memory, attention, speech, and other functions. Special care may be needed.

Put yourself in their place. Think about how you would want to be treated if you were the one receiving care.

Think of yourself as a ?helper? instead of a ?doer.? Help them by encouraging some independence and self-sufficiency. Remember that they are not an infant.

Give positive feedback when they complete tasks independently.

Talk openly and honestly. Be a good listener.

Be flexible. When possible, make changes that allow for reasonable requests. Involve them in decisions.